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WJTN News Headlines for Mar. 1, 2018

February has left the area like a lamb, but it appears that March could come roaring in like a lion after all... 
 
A storm system will approach western New York later today and could bring some heavy, wet snow to the area through Friday morning.  The National Weather Service is continuing a Winter Storm Warning for tonight into Friday night for the entire area including Chautauqua, Cattauragus and Erie counties.  Forecaster David Church in Buffalo says the precipitation will begin as rain this afternoon before turning into snow by nighttime or overnight.
 
Church says there is some uncertainty about snowfall totals, due to the temperatures.  He says where the mercury is slightly above freezing, there won't be as much snow;  colder areas will have more.  Difficult travel conditions are possible, including during the morning commute on Friday.  Gusty winds and wet heavy snow could cause tree branches to fall. Total snow accumulations are expected to be between six to 10 inches.  We'll continue to have updates as the storm approaches.
 
 
A federal program designed to "choke off" drugs and drug trafficking on the local level is in jeopardy of being dimembered by the Washington bureaucracy...  
 
That from U-S Senator Charles Schumer of New York, who said late Wednesday that the new budget is proposing to move the "High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area" -- or HIDTA Program from a White House-level program, to one that's part of the U-S Department of Justice.  
 
Schumer says the best part of HIDTA is that it provides a direct link between federal and local law enforcement. He says the feds may find out a new shipment of Fentanyl -- for example -- may have come in from China, and is destined for an upstate community.  Under the current program, he says the federal agents are able to go directly to local officials and let them know what's going on.  He says if it get's "buried" in the Justice Department, it will require jumping through "10 different hoops" to get information from the federal to the local level.  Schumer says Chautauqua County was among the first counties in the United States that became part of the "High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area" program.
 
 
A total of $10-million in state funding has been awarded to five providers who will offer detox programs for New Yorkers suffering from addiction withdrawal...  
 
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced late Tuesday that 84 beds for the Medically Supervised Withdrawal and Stabilization Services will be overseen with around-the-clock care for people under the influence of alcohol or opioids and will connect addiction sufferers to long-term treatment services.  The Democrat says the funding will allow service providers to people in underserved areas get the help they need. 
 
 
Chautauqua County lawmakers have taken another step toward extending the South Chautauqua Lake Sewer District...  
 
By an 18-0 vote, legislators approved $16.9-million in bonding for the design and construction of the extension.  County Executive George Borrello says it's a good start, but more work is needed because of a funding gap.  The State Comptroller's Office wants the gap closed before moving ahead with the project.
 
The legislature approved  another bonding resolution, this one for $650,000 to cover the cost for the design and construction of a fuel farm at the Dunkirk Airport. The vote 17-1 with Legislator David Himelein casting the lone no vote. In other action, county legislators approved an agreement for a school resource officer at Silver Creek Central.  A sheriff's deputy will be used as an SRO at an annual cost of about $76,000.  The district will fund the position.
 
 
Heritage Ministries has announced that it has acquired an eldercare facility near Meadville, Pennsylvania that is now part of it's network of assisted living and other facilities...  
 
Heritage's President and Chief Executive Officer, David Smeltzer, says they have acquired Rolling Fields Elder Care Community of Conneautville, Pennsylvania.  Smeltzer says Rolling Fields was founded in 1968 when Duane and Marlene Braham purchased the facilities belonging to Elwood Heaster.  In 1995, a 60 bed addition was constructed resulting in the current 181 bed facility which also offers on-site childcare services for employee care partners and the community.  Smeltzer says Heritage is a leader in the industry, and this acquisition will serve to strengthen that position.  He says there will be no change in local operations.
 
 
The Ellicott Town Board will hold a special meeting this afternoon at the town offices in Falconer to discuss a resolution to support aquatic pesticide use on Chautauqua Lake...  
 
Town Clerk Mike Erlandson says it's the only item on the agenda, but says there are three parts to the resolution.  The board decided to take up the measure now instead of waiting until it's regular meeting on March 19.  The Ellicott Town Board meeting will begin at 12 p.m. this afternoon.
 
 
An investigation by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Fraud Unit and Fredonia Police has led to additional arrests for possession of fraudulent driver's licenses...  
 
Fredonia Police Chief Brad Meyers says that on February 8, undercover officers with both agencies reviewed the licenses of patrons entering downtown bars and made a total of 17 arrests.  He says those arrested were released on appearance tickets.  A December detail led to 26 arrests.